Need help please..on sewing question.

Hi, Well, its windy here today and I thought heck, I have some material and a shift pattern..I will try to sew a dress for my self. (Should I mention here that the last time I sewed a dress was when I was a senior in high school? Trust me .. many many moons have passed since then!) I know the machine works..Cause alot of you helped me get through the great curtain making project for the new house. Thing is..it calls for fusible interfacing..huh? I did finally remember what that was...but I do not have any. Can I use another material for this? This first dress will definitely be for working around here..I just find them so much more comfortable than jeans...FINALLY I understand what my grandmothers saw in wearing dresses all the time!

I know this is probably a real kindergarten sewing question..but I hate to use something different and maybe ruin the dress. Thank you so much and enoy the day..

Answers

Hi Sher, do you remember Interfacing from your sewing days? It can be
light weight, or rather stiff piece of thin material that goes in
collars, facings and such. In our early days of sewing, interfacing
was sewn in, but now a days, it is an iron in. ( you can buy the kind
that is sewn in still). Depending on what your material is that
needs interfacing, will determine what you can substitute. Email me
and we will brain storm! Sissy

Sher, you have probably already made your decision, but I frequently
leave the interfacing off on my work dresses, makes them lighter and
more comfy in summer IMO. I tend to make smock type jumpers that all
call for interfacing that make the cotton not breath as much as I
would like it to.

You know, you can use old sheeting for interfacing-if you have say a
cotton sheet thats worn through the middle, but the edges are still
in pretty good shape-makes a nice soft "breathable" interfacing. It
works great for everyday clothes.

I am like Diane, if it is a fairly good material I don't use the
interfacing on everyday clothes! If it is the slippy slidy stuff or
if it is going to have to look tailored, then I do. If it is just a
farm dress or even a decent go to town one, I don't use the
interfacing. I always sew with a good grade of 100% cotton and can
get away with not using it. A word to the wise, if you iron the
interfacing on the wrong underneath side of the collar then it will
look better than if you iron it on the top collar pattern piece.
Sometimes when you wash a dress a lot of times the interfacing kinda
gets funny underneath and if it is on the part of the collar that
doesn't show it will give you the stiffness without looking funny
after many many washings. At least that is what works for me. I use
interfacing on my husband's shirts and nice blouses for me. It helps
to not have to iron them as much. I don't like to iron! :~)!